Correcting shortcomings in

Global Governance

Dr. Marcel Szabó

Deputy Commissioner for Fundamental Rights Responsible for

the Protection of the Interests of Future Generations

Crisis of the international protection of the environment

Background: collapse of biodiversity and climate change mechanisms

Since 1965: - 40 % loss of biodiversity in non-maritime areas - 20 % loss in maritime areas- Aichi targets: less than 50 % loss of biodiversity by 2020?

Proposal: International cooperation of national institutions for the efficient protection of the interest of future generations

Common Heritage of Mankind

1977 World Heritage Convention: cultural heritage and natural heritage of outstanding universal value

1984 Moon Agreement: Moon, celestial bodies 1994 UNCLOS: seabed and ocean floor

Concept of „common heritage of mankind” originates from these treaties Newly emerging – disputed – elements of the common heritage of

mankind: natural heritage, genetic resources, global climate and biodiversity

Dominant underpinning: intragenerational equity

Need for the elaboration of the concept of „intergenerational” and related values 

One possible solution: cross-constitutional dialogue and compiling the notion of the common heritage of mankind from the mosaic pieces of the different states’ national heritage

Cross-constitutional Dialogue

The concept of heritage is featured in many constitutions:

The Argentinian, Slovak and Portugese constitutions define natural and cultural values as heritage

The environment is defined as the common heritage of mankind in the Environmental Charter which forms part of the French Constitution  

International Law

A recognized form of the development of international law is the identification of a general principle of law which is enshrined in the domestic law of the majority of states

Article 38 of the Statute of the ICJ Jurisprudence of the ECJ

A possibility for the development of international environmental law:

Recognition of the protection of natural resources in the interest of future generations by great number of states

Such recognition would contribute to the evolution of a corresponding principle of international law

Efficient enforcement against infringing states

I. Concept of „Heritage” in National Laws

The concept of heritage is linked to the preservation of nature for the next generations

The interest of future generations (19): Albania, Andorra, Brazil, Eritrea, Georgia, Germany, Guyana, Iran, Cuba, East Timor, Malawi, Namibia, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, South-Africa, Uganda, Vanuatu and Zambia

Certain constitutions afford special protection to individual elements of the natural heritage: 

Ecological balance: Brazil, Costa Rica, Haiti, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Paraguay, Cape Verde.

Moderate /reasonable /monitored use of natural resources: Albania, Argentina, Andorra, Bulgaria, East Timor, Georgia, Guyana, Lithuania, Nicaragua, Panama, Portugal, Spain, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

 

II. Concept of „Heritage” in National Laws

Protection of soil: Andorra, Eritrea, Finland, Guatemala, Cambodia, Cape Verde

Protection of arable land: Andorra, Cuba, Mongolia, Taiwan Province of China

Protection of natural waters: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Austria, Eritrea, Guatemala, Guyana, Cambodia, Cuba, Laos, Lithuania, Mongolia, Panama, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Uganda, Uruguay, Venezuela

Protection of genetic heritage: Brazil

Preservation of natural diversity: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Columbia, Ecuador, Finland, Malawi, Namibia, Norvégia, Peru, Thailand.

Preservation of ecological balance (28): Andorra, Argentina, Angola, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Eritrea, France, Guatemala, Haiti, Cambodia, Qatar, East Timor, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Philippines, Romania, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Suriname, Slovakia, Turkey, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, Venezuela and Cape Verde

Future Cooperation

-Key events on international level:

- Proposal for a global Ombudsperson or High Commissioner for Future Generations (Rio+20) – unsuccessful

- Rio+20 outcome: mandate to Secretary General to present a report on intergenerational solidarity, needs of future generations and the achievement of sustainable development.

International cooperation 1.

Proposal: Structured international cooperation of national ombudspersons under UN aegis

National ombudspersons striving towards the protection of national heritage should coordinate their efforts in the UN framework of the ICC- International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

The ICC should act as UN Future Generation High Commissioner

International cooperation 2.

Advantages: The member institutions of the ICC are best suited for

promoting long-term environmental goals Politically independent Financially independent May base their position on sole consideration of human

dignity of present and future generations ICC may act as a sort of collective ’ombudsman’ with the

specific responsibility of protecting the interest of future generations within the UN

ICC recommendations and guidelines would be endorsed by well-established and respected national human rights institutions promoting national implementation

Thank you for your kind attention!